After 18 Months of Work, Wing Zone Open in Panama

Wing Zone was recently featured by QSR in an article called “After 18 Months of Work Wing Zone Opens in Panama" The article was based off of an in-depth interview with Matt Friedman about Wing Zone’s first international location in Panama. Matt did a great job showing that this location has already been successful with first day sales tripling normal sales and talking about the strategy of finding owners locally-based to the international city was a must-do. Check out a portion of the story below or read the full article here.

After 18 Months of Work, Wing Zone Opens in Panama

For 18 months, executives at Atlanta-based Wing Zone laid groundwork for the brand’s launch into international expansion. In November, they finally tasted the fruit of that labor when the first international Wing Zone unit opened in Panama.

Matt Friedman, founder and CEO of the chicken wing chain, says it’s safe to say the opening was a success.

“Our opening day of business we did $4,800, which is three times what we’ll normally do on an opening day,” he says. “Our expected first week of sales will be somewhere between $25,000–$30,000, which is pretty awesome. (Read More)

Wing Zone Founders, Franchising Experts, Offer Advice on Should You Franchise Your Business

The North Central Florida Business Report just recently published a story entitled, “Should You Franchise Your Business,” in which Wing Zone Co-Founders, Matt Friedman and Adam Scott, laid out some advice for business owners who may be considering franchising. Matt and Adam began Wing Zone in Gainesville, FL out of their fraternity kitchen and turned it into an international franchise concept which has been selected by Entrepreneur as one of the best franchises in the country. Check out the story here:

Should You Franchise Your Business?
By Chris Eversole

Former University of Florida students Adam Scott and Matt Friedman got off to a slow start and had little money when they founded Wing Zone in the kitchen of Phi Kappa Phi fraternity in 1991.

Today, Wing Zone has 100 stores and has received awards from Inc. and Entrepreneur magazines as one of the country’s best franchise businesses.
Wing Zone is an example of the kind of success you can achieve if you turn a business into a thriving franchise. But getting from start to finish can be challenging. Here are the essential steps you’ll need to follow:

START WITH A GOOD CONCEPT
To create a lucrative franchise, you first have to have a business that:
• can be taught;
• can be profitable for you and the franchisee; and
• can work in various geographic areas.
Before turning to franchising, Scott and Friedman proved their business concept worked by opening and operating their own stores at college campuses throughout the Southeast.

NAIL DOWN THE DETAILS
Parker Van Hart is beginning to franchise his local restaurant, Buddha Belly, which offers a healthy, diverse menu ranging from various fried rice dishes to burgers. He’s changing the name to Tasty Buddha to broaden its appeal, and he’s developed a website aimed at franchisees.
Just as importantly, he has created a comprehensive procedures manual that runs more than 1,000 pages and is still growing. “I’m surprised at how big it is,” he says.

The Wing Zone manual is similarly detailed—including everything from temperature settings for the refrigerator, to what button to push on each machine and how to bag the wings.

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Matt Licht, Owner of Wing Zone Bellmore, NY

Location: 2760 Sunrise Hwy
Bellmore, NY 11710
Opened: October 15, 2010


View Larger Map


Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Freeport, NY, just 10 minutes away. I’ve lived here all my life

Q: Before Franchising, what were you involved with?
A: I went to UF as an Animal Science major planning on going to veterinary school, but I soon realized that the 4.0 GPA I’d need to do this wasn’t exactly what I was planning to do with my time in college… So, upon graduating, I decided to open the very first Wing Zone in New York with my dad in East Meadow, in October of 2004.
My parents were both teachers, so we were able to recruit some great local high school students to work in our store. One was Matt Dolan, a particularly great worker who is now my business partner and part-owner of the new store in Bellmore.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: Wing Zone started in Gainesville, at UF where I went to school. Actually, my family is friends with WingZone founder Matt Friedman and his family. Our moms taught high school together. So it was really exciting for us to be able to take Matt’s great concept and bring it to the state of New York for the first time.

Q: Why was this brand the right fit for you?
A: I like the product. I like how in our areas there aren’t really any other places like us, if there are they aren’t even close to touching us quality-wise. Not a lot of wing places who do what we do. We love the product and what we produce. It’s a great franchise even through tough economic times—in the past few years we managed not just to keep our doors open but also to expand! I feel very fortunate, especially now that the economy is picking back up.

Q: How do you see the brand connecting with your local community?
A: We joined Chamber of Commerce, sponsor Little League teams, have a great relationship with local college, Hofstra. We also regularly give gift certificates to fundraisers. Community service and local involvement is really important to us. After all, this is my hometown, I love it here.

Q: What are your future goals? Development plans?
A: I’d like to open up about 3 more locations in Long Island, for a total of at least 5 restaurants. My long-term goal is to open my own brewpub!

Wing Zone Featured in Newsday

Wing Zone was recently featured in a great placement in Newsday called “Wing Zone owners hope business takes flight” which published today. This article was built from an in-depth interview with Matt Licht and Matt Friedman and discusses Wing Zone’s expansion on Long Island. A portion of the article can be read below and online by clicking here.

Wing Zone owners hope business takes flight
By James Bernstein

Matt Licht and Matt Dolan hope their business will one day wing Long Island.

They own the only two Wing Zone takeout/delivery stores in the state, and they plan to have five of them, all on Long Island, in which case they will be ringing the Island as well.

Wing Zone, headquartered in Atlanta, serves up cooked-to-order chicken wings, fingers, sandwiches and more, and since the first...

(Read More)

Wing Zone Featured on FoodChannel.com

Wing Zone was recently featured on FoodChannel.com in an article called “One-Time Campus Chicken Wing Operation Now Going Global.” Written by Bill Bailey, senior editor at Food Channel, he explores Wing Zone since its inception by interviewing Matt Friedman and Adam Scott, co-Founders of the Atlanta-based franchise. They discuss starting Wing Zone in their frat house kitchen to now taking the brand globally and expanding in Panama, Japan and the Bahamas. Wing Zone is also focused on growing throughout the U.S. through franchising opportunities. A portion of the article is included below and the article can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

One-Time Campus Chicken Wing Operation Now Going Global
Bill Bailey

Forty-five years after Teressa Belissimo invented Buffalo Wings at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, N.Y., chicken wings remain as popular as ever—especially during football/tailgating season. Teressa’s simple sauce recipe—basically, three parts Frank’s RedHot and two parts butter—started a wings explosion.

Today there are a number of restaurant chains that specialize in wings, among them are Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop, and Wing Zone.

We recently had a chance to visit with the founders of the Atlanta-based Wing Zone chain, Adam Scott, 36, and Matt Friedman, 39, who began their chicken wing odyssey back in 1993. The pair were fraternity brothers at the University of Florida, majoring in Business/Finance with passion for two things: owning their own business and chicken wings.

Friedman says they had next to no experience in the restaurant business. “We were just wing fanatics,” he says. Growing up on New York’s Long Island and making frequent visits upstate to visit relatives, Friedman knew what authentic Buffalo Wings should taste like. Soon the two frat brothers were making wings and selling them like mad to fellow students on the Gainesville campus. “We worked hard to duplicate the flavor of the original buffalo wing,” Friedman says. “The deep fry cooking process—cooking them up crispy—the classic spicy sauce flavor, with the blue cheese on the side.” He says it’s all about the wrist action, flipping the wings around in the bowl of sauce to get good coverage. “People often use too much arm action,” Friedman adds.

(Read More)

MEDIA ALERT: Wing Zone Appreciates Customers

A Week of Special Deals Followed by a Saturday of Family Fun at Wing Zone of Charlotte’s Eastway Store

WHO:
Wing Zone Eastway

WHEN:
Monday, October 18 – Saturday, October 23, 2010

WHAT:
Customer Appreciation Week!

All week, Wing Zone will be offering 2 special deals:
1)10 Boneless wings for only $5.00
2) Add 5 shrimp to any order for only $2.99

WHERE:
Wing Zone
3124 Eastway Dr Ste 700
Charlotte, NC 28205

WHY:
Why not? Wing Zone wants to show its customers how much it loves them!

GRAND FINALE:
On Saturday, October 23rd from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., Wing Zone will end the week with a big celebration at the store, featuring a live radio broadcast from 96.1 The Beat, games, face painting, a jump house for kids, and 5 free wings with any purchase of $10 or more!

For any additional questions or information, please contact Nancy Borrell.
Phone Number: 704.995.2495
Email: nancyborrell@bellsouth.net

How Wing Zone is Adapting to the Changed Economy

Adam Scott, Founder and COO

During harsh economic times, it takes innovation and new ways of thinking to continue to be successful. That’s exactly what Wing Zone has done to keep relevant during this recession and it’s worked. Among some of the many accomplishments that Wing Zone has achieved over the past two years are international growth, expansion to military bases across the United States, and developing new footprints for its concept.

In late 2009, we announced our international expansion to Panama, Bahamas and Japan. In Panama, with its new franchise partners, Wing Zone will open six locations; in the Bahamas, five locations; and in Japan 50 locations. Not only are we growing internationally, but we are the first wing concept to deliver in these countries as well.

Around the same time last year, we also announced our partnership with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to bring 10 locations to military bases across the country. AAFES, a joint military activity providing quality merchandise and service to active duty, guard and reserve military, military retirees, and their families, is proof that our improvements were impressive, and viable for them to become our first franchisee to sign a double-digit deal.

In addition to looking for new ways to expand in nontraditional ways, we have also supplemented our existing retail design with new footprints to give new and established franchisees a variety of options to fit their needs. Our first footprint is an in line retail space at about 1200 square feet. We now offer franchisees two other options for restaurant build-out including a new modular unit, which is a free standing location, a bit smaller than our original design at around 900 square feet and boosts a drive through. The next is our new Grill & Tap. It is by far our largest design transforming our typical takeout/delivery format to a casual dining experience. It features a wait staff, TVs for watching the weekend games, beer and wine, and sports memorabilia to add some flair to the new restaurants.

Wing Zone has other plans in the works too. They say that innovation spurs economic recovery and we are proving that to be true by offering new and improved options to our franchisees.

Ad Age Discusses Wing Zone's major part within growing industry

Ad Age Magazine has recently published an article about Wing Zone’s growth despite harsh economic conditions. Adam Scott was interviewed for the article and attributes part of Wing Zone’s success to a low price point item that gained popularity when people were looking for ways to save money. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full article here.



In Lukewarm Industry, Chicken Wing Chains Stay Hot
Thanks to Low Price-Point, Spicy-Chicken Purveyors Outperforming Rivals; Football Season Brings More Gains | By Keri Lynch

It's football season. Pass the wings.

Even with relatively modest marketing spending, the product that was once a cast-off of little value is flying high. Not only are chicken-wing chains outperforming rivals in quick-service and casual-dining sectors, but prospects are strong for fall football season, when wing consumption over-indexes. (Read More)

Wing Zone tailgates with CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

This morning, Wing Zone co-founders Matt Friedman and Adam Scott went on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta to showcase their wings and sauces, while challenging meteorologist Justin Lock to their Nuclear Challenge--a wing-eating race featuring Wing Zone's hottest sauce.

To see Matt and Adam in action, click on the photo below.

Wing Zone hosts Nuclear Challenge at the 2010 National Buffalo Wing Festival

Over Labor Day weekend, Wing Zone traveled up to Buffalo, New York to once again to attend the National Buffalo Wing Festival. While Wing Zone made another strong appearance at the festival, one new addition to this year's festivities was the Nuclear Challenge. Wing Zone invited people to see how many wings they could eat. The catch? These wings were covered in Wing Zone's hottest sauce--Nuclear!

We captured many of these attempts in photos--check them out below!

Wing Zone franchisee Brad Meltzer makes an appearance on "Good Day Austin"

Wing Zone was featured on Fox 7’s live morning program, “Good Day Austin.” For the segment, Austin franchisee Brad Meltzer recreated the Wing Zone experience with a live in-studio football tailgate segment on Thursday. Brad brought a full, delicious-looking array of wings and sauces and let the news anchors taste them live on the air. The entire news team was very impressed with the flavors, and they had fun seeing who could handle the uber-spicy nuclear sauce!

Check out the video below to see Brad discussing all things Wing Zone.

Wing Zone targets Buffalo market

Just today Buffalo Business First published an article called, “Wing Zone eyes Buffalo market,” which discusses Wing Zone’s interest in expanding to Buffalo. The article was built from an in-depth interview with Adam Scott. This is a great article discussing Wing Zone’s participation in the National Buffalo Wing Festival and also its future development potential in the market. Check it out:

Wing Zone eyes Buffalo market
Business First of Buffalo - by James Fink

Next weekend's National Buffalo Wing Festival may open the door for a restaurant chain to enter the local market.

The founders of Atlanta-based Wing Zone will be at the festival, set for Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 at Coca-Cola Field, to not only showcase their wings but also to possibly meet with potential franchisees. Expanding into the Buffalo Niagara marketplace is at the top of Wing Zone's wish list.

"We'd do it tomorrow, if we had the right franchisee," said Adam Scott, Wing Zone co-founder and chief financial officer. "But it's got to be the right fit with the right person." (Read More)

Taking Ownership: Wing Zone to Pioneer Chicken Wing Delivery in the Bahamas

Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise Expands Internationally for First Time and Selects the Bahamas as Key International Growth Market

While many brands are in limbo, shuffling to strategize their economic stability plan, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and the nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, is progressing forward. In fact, Wing Zone will pioneer unchartered territory, as the first chicken wing delivery chain to step outside of the United States and into the Bahamas this fall.

Experienced franchisees, Michael Turnquest and Roy Nick Dean, have partnered up to bring the first chicken wing delivery chain to the Bahamas for the first time. Turnquest and Dean have signed a six-unit development deal with Wing Zone and will start opening the first of their six locations this fall.

Matt Friedman, CEO and Founder of Wing Zone, noted that the popularity of Buffalo chicken wings in the states prompted Wing Zone to think outside-of-the-box in their development strategy. “We sold more than 47 million wings last year,” he said, “why shouldn’t consumers of all cultures be able to experience our flavors?”

In late 2009, Friedman and the Wing Zone team began talking with Turnquest and Dean about bringing Wing Zone to the Bahamas. The franchise partners signed a development deal late last year, which states their intention to develop six Wing Zone locations across the Bahamas over the next several years.

To prepare for the expansion into the Bahamas, Wing Zone took a good look in the mirror to create a stronger identity with consumers in the Bahamas and is launching a revamped footprint to fit in with the country’s demand. The new footprint will include a new quick casual dining experience with about 15 seats.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Friedman, noting that Wing Zone has created an international distribution method to maintain consistent flavor and taste. “Not only have we repositioned ourselves to better connect with multi-unit/multi-brand franchisees by simplifying our operations, systems, branding, and marketing, but we have created a concept that is friendly, worldwide.”

“We have been a good franchise brand for 10 years. Now we will turn great,” Friedman said.

Taking Ownership: Wing Zone to Pioneer Chicken Wing Delivery in Japan

Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise Expands Internationally for First Time and Selects Japan as Key International Growth Market

While many brands are in limbo, shuffling to strategize their economic stability plan, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and the nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, is progressing forward. In fact, Wing Zone will pioneer unchartered territory, as the first chicken wing delivery chain to step outside of the United States and into Japan later this year.

Experienced franchisees, Richard Dare and Pacific Rim Partners, have partnered up to bring the first chicken wing delivery chain to Japan for the first time. Richard Dare and Pacific Rim Partners have signed a 25-unit development deal with Wing Zone and will start opening the first of their 25 locations later this year.

Matt Friedman, CEO and Founder of Wing Zone, noted that the popularity of Buffalo chicken wings in the states prompted Wing Zone to think outside-of-the-box in their development strategy. “We sold more than 47 million wings last year,” he said, “why shouldn’t consumers of all cultures be able to experience our flavors?”

In late 2009, Friedman and the Wing Zone team began talking with Richard Dare and Pacific Rim Partners about bringing Wing Zone to Japan. The franchise partners signed a development deal late last year, which states their intention to develop 25 Wing Zone locations across Japan over the next several years.

To prepare for the expansion into Japan, Wing Zone took a good look in the mirror to create a stronger identity with consumers in Japan and is launching a revamped footprint to fit in with the country’s demand. The footprint will range from Wing Zone’s already established takeout/delivery model to the new quick casual dining experience with about 10 seats.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Friedman, noting that Wing Zone has created an international distribution method to maintain consistent flavor and taste. “Not only have we repositioned ourselves to better connect with multi-unit/multi-brand franchisees by simplifying our operations, systems, branding, and marketing, but we have created a concept that is friendly, worldwide.”

“We have been a good franchise brand for 10 years. Now we will turn great,” Friedman said.

Taking Ownership: Wing Zone to Pioneer Chicken Wing Delivery in Panama

Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise Expands Internationally for First Time and Selects Panama as First International Growth Market

On August 10, five franchise partners, Diqueos Tagaropulos, Manuel Alvarez, Salomon Diaz, Adalberto Ferrer and Gianni Achurra are pioneering unchartered territory, as they are bringing to Panama the first chicken wing delivery chain to step outside of the United States.

While many brands are in limbo, shuffling to strategize their economic stability plan, Wing Zone, a U.S-based, 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, is progressing forward and stepping into international waters.

The first of five Panama locations is expected to open August 10, 2010 by experienced entrepreneurs, Tagaropulos, Alvarez, Diaz, Ferrer, and Achurra. The other four locations will open over the next several years.

Matt Friedman, CEO and Founder of Wing Zone, noted that the popularity of Buffalo chicken wings in the states prompted Wing Zone to think outside-of-the-box in their development strategy. “We sold more than 47 million wings last year,” he said, “why shouldn’t consumers of all cultures be able to experience our flavors?”

In late 2009, Friedman and the Wing Zone team began talking with Tagaropulos, Alvarez, Diaz, Ferrer and Achurra about bringing Wing Zone to Panama. The franchise partners signed a development deal late last year, which states their intention to develop five Wing Zone locations across Panama over the next several years.

To prepare for the expansion into Panama, Wing Zone took a good look in the mirror to create a stronger identity with consumers in Panama and is launching a revamped footprint to fit in with the country’s demand. The new footprint will include a new quick casual dining experience with 56 seats.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Friedman, noting that Wing Zone has created an international distribution method to maintain consistent flavor and taste. “Not only have we repositioned ourselves to better connect with multi-unit/multi-brand franchisees by simplifying our operations, systems, branding, and marketing, but we have created a concept that is friendly, worldwide.”

“We have been a good franchise brand for 10 years. Now we will turn great,” Friedman said.

Elite Development: Wing Zone Signs 10-Unit Deal with Army & Air Force Exchange Service

Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise Positioned as First Wing Concept to Deliver on Base

Turning its head to the down economy, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and the nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, has signed a 10-unit deal with Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). With the signing, Wing Zone joins AAFES impressive portfolio that includes 2,311 restaurants, including Burger King, Taco Bell, Cinnabon and Popeye’s.

“We have had a big 2009 and our first double-digit franchisee signing marks the proven beginning to our focused multi-unit/multi-brand growth initiative,” said Matt Friedman, CEO/Founder of Wing Zone. “To have an established franchisee like AAFES join our system is further proof that the advancements that we made internally are executable externally.”

Throughout 2008 and early 2009, Wing Zone worked on positioning its systems, operations, and model as a viable concept for prospective franchisees with high-profile resumes. AAFES, a joint military activity providing quality merchandise and service to active duty, guard and reserve military, military retirees, and their families, is proof that Wing Zone’s improvements were impressive, and viable for them to become its first franchisee to sign a double-digit deal.

In preparation for expanding into unconventional locations/systems, Wing Zone tested an improved model over the last year, designed to be more universal while strengthening its delivery systems. The signing of AAFES provides Wing Zone with the opportunity to rollout a smaller footprint as well as be the first chicken wing concept to deliver on base.

“We have mastered delivery through our more than 100 units and our almost 20-year experience as a company,” Friedman said. “We are confident delivering our wings on base that active military and their families will get the freshest and highest quality wings fast.”

The first of 10 AAFES units is scheduled to open in second quarter of 2010.

“This is our first step into unconventional sites, yet proof that our model is compatible with different types of locations,” Friedman said.

Wing Zone claims San Antonio market

Wing Zone was recently featured in an article in the San Antonio Business Journal entitled, “San Antonio remains a top spot for franchise industry.” The article profiles Brad Meltzer, an Austin businessman and Wing Zone Franchisee, and Chief Operating Officer Casey McEwen. Meltzer discusses the exciting deal which will bring 10 new Wing Zone locations to the Austin and San Antonio area while McEwen explains what makes San Antonio and the surrounding area such an attractive market. A portion of the story is shared below, and you can view the full article here.

San Antonio remains a top spot for franchise industry
San Antonio Business Journal - by Tricia Lynn Silva

An Atlanta-based chain has staked its claim in San Antonio’s budding franchise market.

Wing Zone recently signed a franchise agreement with Austin businessman Brad Meltzer to establish Wing Zone’s presence in both San Antonio and Austin. The contract calls for Meltzer to get at least 10 restaurants up and running between the two markets over the next several years.

Wing Zone joins a growing list of franchise concepts that are fervently looking to expand their brand in the Alamo City.

“We’ve wanted to be in San Antonio for a while,” says Wing Zone Chief Operating Officer Casey McEwen.

Wing Zone Featured in Atlanta Journal Constitution

Entrepreneurs could push economy forward
Laid-off employees turning to franchises, other start-ups

By Tammy Joyner and David Markiewicz

What a difference a recession makes.

College buddies Dan Ketmayura and James Kim have gone from selling high-tech know-how to serving up sushi. The pair bought a franchise in Milton after being laid off last year. Instead of waiting on the recovery to yield more corporate jobs for them, they became their own bosses.

Likewise, Roger Panitch and Mike Connors took the self-employment route, via franchising, when the corporate road proved too bumpy. Panitch, a former pharmaceutical sales rep and executive recruiter, now hauls people’s junk for a living. Connors, who lost his job as a comptroller at a credit card company, now sells cell phones and wireless devices.

As the U.S. economy slogs toward recovery, many Americans, laid off from or fed up with corporate America, are taking control of their lives with help, in many cases, from franchises. Franchises are enticing would-be entrepreneurs with a variety of incentives, including lower entry fees.

(READ MORE)

Wing Zone Featured on ABC's Talk of Alabama

Wing Zone Featured in Salute Magazine

Wing Zone was recently featured in Salute Magazine. Click on the thumbnail to view the article in its entirety.

(READ MORE)

Wing Zone Featured in GI Jobs

Wing Zone was recently featured in G.I. Jobs Magazine. Click on the thumbnail to view the article in its entirety.

(READ MORE)

Wing Zone Featured in Family Magazine

Wing Zone was recently featured in Family Magazine, the Magazine for Military Families. Below is a thumbnail of the article. Click on the thumbnail to view the article in its entirety.

(READ MORE)

Wing Zone was recently featured in the AJC!

Fast-food chains heading overseas, fast

By Jeremiah McWilliams

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Popeyes and Moe’s Southwest Grill are scouting locations in the Middle East. Wing Zone is taking its delivery service to Tokyo. Wendy’s/Arby’s Group plans to open as many as 45 new stores in foreign countries this year.

With the recession crimping U.S. sales in the usually resilient fast food business --and lending for new franchises tight -- Atlanta-based chains and brands are looking overseas for growth. (Read More)

Wing Zone was recently featured in Entrepreneur's StartUps!

The Buddy System
5 people you should get to know when launching your business.
By Carrie Bach Entrepreneur's StartUps - March 2010

Get to Know your Business Partner

In 1991, friends Matt Friedman and Adam Scott were fraternity brothers at the University of Florida who shared a common dream to have their own business. They started making Buffalo wings and homemade sauces for students around campus, and the concept of Wing Zone was born. Today, with nearly 100 locations around the country, these two business partners and friends give us their tips on how to create (and maintain) a good business partnership:

• Be a good communicator.
• Be ready to work (all the time).
• Be cognizant of your roles. "Understand what each partner's main focus is," says Scott, who takes care of the technical, financial and legal matters, while Friedman specializes in the overall direction of the company, marketing and menu planning.
• Be passionate about what you do.

Wing Zone was recently featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle

Wing Zone taking flight overseas

Friday, February 26, 2010

Atlanta Business Chronicle - by Lisa R. Schoolcraft Staff Writer

Matt Friedman is the first to admit he’s a wing man.

Friedman co-founded Atlanta-based Wing Zone, a chicken wing fast-casual restaurant, while in college when he couldn’t find decent chicken wings.

Now he plans to spread his Wing Zones internationally, starting with 50 units in Japan, five in Panama and six in the Bahamas.

He’s also just struck a deal with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to put Wing Zone on up to 160 domestic military bases and 60 international U.S. bases. (Read More)

Wing Zone is featured as QSR's feature story in February!

This month, QSR has featured Wing Zone as their cover story. The article discusses Wing Zone's international plans for 2010, and Wing Zone's well thought out business model and strategic international expansion plans.

‘The International Plan’
QSR followed four Wing Zone executives as they took the brand beyond U.S. borders and into Central America. Along the way, the group inked a deal in Asia and found out what it takes to expand a concept into new territories. By Deborah L. Cohen

Population. U.S. proximity. Financing. Footprint. The right partners. Those were just a few of the factors that mid-sized quick serve Wing Zone considered in choosing the first international market to represent its expanding brand.

The founders believed they had just one shot to make their international debut and they wanted to get it right. For years, prospects had approached the fast-growing domestic chain, offering to bring its largely college-oriented take-out concept abroad. But Wing Zone held out, seeking to maximize opportunities at home in a U.S. market that appeared plenty big enough to handle increasing demand for buffalo-style chicken wings. (Read More)

Wing Zone was just recently featured in the Daily Record!

Wing Zone owners hope eatery takes flight

By JANET ESPOSITO • SPECIAL TO PARSIPPANY THIS WEEK • January 6, 2010

It was always Joed Lachica's dream to open his own food place. That dream would become a reality in July 2009 when he would open the Wing Zone in Parsippany. But the journey to get there would be long and not without a life-changing career move in between.

"Having my own food place has always been a dream of mine, and I have always held onto that dream for many years," Lachica said.

Born in the Philippines, Lachica arrived in the United States seven years ago and then jumped right into a job at a TGI Friday in New Jersey. However, the pursuit of restaurant entrepreneurship would have to be put on hold while Lachica attended school to earn a degree in nursing, just in case the food business didn't pan out.

After working as a nurse, Lachica and wife, Catherine, also a nurse, discussed the possibility of starting a restaurant of their own. Their thought was to go franchise. After attending several franchise seminars and training programs, "we narrowed it down to the Wing Zone and another place," Lachica said. (Read More)

Wing Zone was just recently featured on MSN Money!

Texas businessman orders new look for Wing Zone

December 23, 2009 6:18 PM ET

Tricia Lynn Silva

Wing Zone, a take-out/delivery concept hailing from Atlanta, is poised to become a take-out/delivery/dine-in concept in San Antonio.

Brad Meltzer has forged a deal to deliver 10 Wing Zone stores to the San Antonio and Austin markets. Prior to Wing Zone, the Lone Star State resident was responsible for bringing the Benihana restaurant to the Alamo and Capital cities.

As part of Meltzer’s Wing Zone roll out, he plans to add a sit-down restaurant footprint to some of the stores. These locations will feature wait staff, beer and wine and TVs for watching weekend sports. He will add a local feel to the stores — decking them out with Spurs gear in San Antonio, and with University of Texas memorabilia in Austin. (Read More)

Wing Zone was just recently featured in the San Antonio News Express!

Wing Zone to take flight in S.A.

By Joni Simon - Contributing Writer/North Central News

Brad Meltzer has high expectations for a chicken wing franchise he hopes will fly, despite the sluggish economy. The longtime South Texas businessman has just signed a development deal with Wing Zone, which, he said, will take the business to the next level.

The takeout and delivery chicken wing concept now has a recently developed prototype to originate in South and Central Texas. What's new is a wait staff for indoor and patio dining.

The San Antonio restaurants, he said, will have a distinctive regional flavor. Diners can watch the Spurs on large screen televisions as they munch on the wings, paired with local beers and Hill Country wines. Wing Zone also offers salads, grilled sandwiches, burgers and a variety of appetizers.

“We'll have a special French fry that's to die for, onion rings that are delicious and sweet tea,” Meltzer said. “You know how people in South Texas like their tea.”

The first of five initial restaurants opens in May or June of 2010 at Interstate 10 and Callaghan, near Meltzer's Japanese eatery, Benihana. Although he's uncertain at this point where he'll establish the other four, the current real estate market, Meltzer said, is making the site purchases effortless. (Read More)

Wing Zone was recently featured in Chain Leader!

Wing Zone's new loyalty program keeps track of guest purchases and doles out rewards automatically.

By Lisa Bertagnoli, Contributing Editor -- Chain Leader, 11/1/2009

Wing Zone's new loyalty program keeps track of guest purchases and doles out rewards automatically.

Fans of Atlanta-based restaurant chain Wing Zone no longer have to worry about getting a card punched to redeem their frequent-diner points. The chain's POS system does the math for them.

The chain's new Loyalty Zone, launched earlier this year, keeps track of customer purchases. When they order five times, they automatically get $5 off their order. "The receipt lets them know where they stand," says Adam Scott, chief financial officer at the 100-unit, quick-service chain. "They get to their reward pretty quickly." (Read More)

Wing Zone was just featured in MSN Money!

Central Texas entrepreneur to open 10 Austin Wing Zone restaurants
December 11, 2009 3:03 PM ET

Successful franchisor and former construction entrepreneur Brad Meltzer signed a deal to open 10 Wing Zone stores in Austin.

The self-proclaimed “authority of sauce and ambassadors of flavor” restaurants specialize in carry-out and delivery of 15 varieties of chicken wings, but the local business developer will expand the brand to include beer, wine and table service. (Read More)